Wave-Particle Duality
Wave-Particle Duality
The quantum description of matter ascribes a wavelike aspect to particles of matter. In some circumstances, for example in the photoelectric effect, particles behave primarily as if they are mass points. In other circumstances, they display diffraction and interference as if they are waves. The quantum wavelength of a particle is inversely proportional to its mass, and an object's wavelike aspects will be significant whenever its quantum wavelength is larger than its physical size. Therefore, large objects like cars have imperceptible wavelike attributes but subatomic particles, such as neutrons, have significant wavelike aspects. It is more accurate to view the quantum wave aspect as being a wave of information (like a crime wave) or probability than an undulatory quality.
See also Paradox; Physics Quantum
Bibliography
folse, henry. the philosophy of niels bohr: the framework of complementarity. amsterdam: north holland. 1985.
herbert, nick. quantum reality: beyond the new physics.london: rider, 1985.
john d. barrow
More From encyclopedia.com
Wave , wave / wāv/ • v. 1. [intr.] move one's hand to and fro in greeting or as a signal: he waved to me from the train. ∎ [tr.] move (one's hand or arm, or… Interference , CONCEPT
When two or more waves interact and combine, they interfere with one another. But interference is not necessarily bad: waves may interfere co… Wave Motion , A wave is a disturbance that moves from place to place in a medium, carrying energy with it. The behavior of waves is closely related to the concept… Waves , Wind creates waves. As an air current (moving stream of air) moves over an undisturbed water surface, friction between air and water creates a series… Tsunami , The word tsunami is derived from Japanese words that translate as ‘harbor wave,’ and refers to the series of waves that arise when a lot of ocean wat… Ocean Wave , ocean wave Disturbance of the ocean's surface, seen as an alternate rise and fall of the surface. Ocean waves are of several types: (a) wind-generate…
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Wave-Particle Duality